Wind Turbines in New Hampshire. Mythical, possible, and reality.

Transcription

1 Wind Turbines in New Hampshire Mythical, possible, and reality. Ric Werme Feb 2014

2 Contents Installations: existing to planned Attributes and economics Advantages and (many) disadvantages Reliability and safety Other alternative energy

3 Nacelle Components 1) Electromechanical pitch drives 9) Hydraulic pitch drives 8) Rotor blade condition monitoring systems 2) Lubrication system, oil cooler and oil filter 3) Main Gearbox 4) Output shaft brake 5) Hydraulic power units 7) Yaw drive 6) Yaw brake systems?) Alternator (rare earth magnets)

4 Lempster Wind Operational Oct Gamesa G87, 2 MW each 396' height to blade tip, 139' blade length Power sold to PSNH and then NHEC

5 Granite Reliable (Dixville) Operational Dec Vestas V-90 turbines, 3 MW each $168.9 million federal loan guarantee $275 million construction cost Power sold to Vermont

6 Groton Wind Operational Dec Gamesa G87, 2 MW each 396' height to blade tip, 139' blade length $120 million construction cost Power sold to Nstar (Boston)

7 Planned Wind Farms Name North County Wind Jericho Mountain Wind Alpine Ridge Where Coos County MW Status 180 In development Berlin 8.5 Seeking permits Groton 45 Wild Meadows Danbury, Alexandria 75 In development Started SEC review, now on hold Antrim Wind Energy Antrim 30 Denied by SEC Kidder Mountain New Ipswich, Temple 15 Seeking SEC review

8 Newfound Area Energy

9 Attributes and Economics Pluses: Wind is free fuel! No CO2 (At least not at the turbine) Negatives: Low density energy Groton is 48 MW, Seabrook is 1244 MW - 25X Huge area requirement High maintenance cost [more]

10 More Negatives Pluses: Free fuel! No CO2 (At least not at the turbine) Negatives: Low density energy: Groton is 48 MW, Seabrook is 1244 MW 25 times more power

11 Groton Turbine Placement?

12 Seabrook Station 1242 MW Nuclear

13 Granite Ridge, Londonderry 900 MW Combined Cycle Gas

14 More Negatives: Cube Law Power varies with cube of wind velocity For Gamesa G87 and Vestas V 90: Connects to grid at 4 m/s (9 mph) wind Produces full power from 13 to 25 m/sec (29 to 56 mph) Typical capacity factor is 20-35%, so these 2 MW turbines produce MW on average. Typical capacity credit is near 0%, so backup power must be available. Hydro and natural gas plants are best options.

15 NH Renewable Portfolio Standard By 2025, NH legislation targets producing 13% of our electricity from wind energy or sources like tidal, hydrogen, or geothermal. On average, NH uses 1,240 MW, (almost exactly what Seabrook produces). To match that (on average!) from 2.0 MW wind turbines with a 30% capacity factor, we'd need 1,240 / (2.0 x 0.30) = 2070 turbines. We currently have the equivalent of 84, and most of that power is sold to neighboring states. 24X the current supply? Won't happen.

16 Subsidies and Incentives [Needs work] PTC cents/kwh and this increases with inflation, currently not available to projects that have not started construction. US Loan guarantees - allows for low borrowing rates RPS - requires local utilities purchase renewable energy otherwise pay a financial penalty.

17 Bird and Bat Kills Current estimate: 140,000 and 328,000 birds and 600,000 bats. US Interior Dept: 30-year permits allowing wind farms and other projects to accidentally kill federally protected eagles. US cats: 1.3 billion to 4.0 billion birds.

18 Noise Issues Vortex shedding whoosh, whoosh sound Blade tips move at nearly 200 mph Transmission noise - gears meshing Generator whir/whine 1800 RPM shaft Blade infrasound and wakes poorly appreciated Blade pitch and nacelle yaw motors

19 Infrasound I first noticed from seeing several similar reports from around the world about: Middle ear related: vertigo, tinnitus, ear popping Heart palpitations, high blood pressure, nausea, sleep disturbance, foreboding Concentration deficit, fatigue, demotivation Feeling better away from home and turbines

20 Inner Ear / Vestibular System

21 Noise Spectrum

22 Wild Meadows Sound Contours

23 Longterm Reliability Design lifetime 20 years, but it's not being met. Blades: Western NY repairing blades only 2-3 years old. Not recyclable. Transmissions: Portsmouth RI stuck with failed turbine, manufacturer bankrupt, used transmission available. As transmissions wear they get louder. Oil (200 gallons): hot mainshaft bearings ignite oil in the nacelle.

24 State Actions NH Site Evaluation Committee (SEC) 2013 HB580 (failed) Establish a moratorium 2014 SB281 Firmer guidance for the SEC Gov. Hassan supports wind power Several environmental groups support wind, but that is beginning to change.

25 Alternative Energy Northern Pass Hydro Quebec (large hydro is often not renewable in part because it doesn't need subsidies) Natural gas increasing supply, needs distribution Coal EPA is running that into the ground Solar Better for rooftop than large plant Thorium atomic power US experiments in the 1960s, China making push now. LENR (cold fusion) Andrea Rossi's E-Cat

26 Additional resources